Tour de France: Plans for West Tanfield

Villagers in West Tanfield are using the July 5 arrival of the Tour de France to raise money for the community.

The community has already raised £2,700 through hosting fundraising events, with more planned.

David Powell of the West Tanfield Tour de France Committee said: “Working hand in hand with local landowners we have secured substantial areas along the route for entertainment, market stalls, food and drink and camping.

“We are planning for celebrations on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday! All money raised from these activities will be used to support the local community.

“We have enlisted the help of a local firm as main sponsor too – Pennine Brewery in Well.”

It promises to be a big event in West Tanfield – one of the few villages on the race route with good access even when the route itself is closed to traffic.

“We have organised 60 acres of parking to accommodate this and invested some of our fundraising into marshalling, security and other facilities. We have set up our own website to act as a hub for booking camping and car parking as well as providing information on local businesses, activities and news.